H.—44A

Part VIII, " Residential Buildings-," prescribes the minimum requirements for all buildings intended for human habitation. In the course of development of this Part of the Code it became apparent that, in the absence of suitable by-laws, local authorities were unable to deal satisfactorily with various undesirable features associated with boardinghouses, and the renting of rooms in premises entirely unsuitable* for this purpose. The responsible committee has accordingly prepared a separate Code of By-laws for the Licensing and Control of Boardinghouses and Similar Premises (N.Z.S.S. 390). This will, fulfil a need which has been widely and strongly represented, by local authorities, which have stressed the urgent need for such a Code, especially under present conditions. Plumbing and Drainage By-laws.—Good progress has also been made with a related Code for Plumbing and Drainage By-laws, which has been completed in draft form and circulated for comment. Government Housing Standards.—A representative committee has been instituted to undertake the preparation of comprehensive Standard Specifications for housing. These specifications are being closely co-ordinated with Part XI, " Light Timber Construction," of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws, with the object of ensuring that resources applied to housing construction will, be employed to most advantage, with the result that houses "will be built on the most economic cost basis, having regard to the maintenance of sound standards of construction, hygiene, and general convenience. Concomitantly with the preparation of the housing specifications related specifications for building-materials are being formulated. Exchange of Specifications and Related Documents In accordance with reciprocal arrangements with, other national Standards organizations, the regular exchange of Draft and Standard Specifications has been continued during the year. As a result of this exchange, each country concerned has benefited from the investigation and research work carried out in the several other countries. This means that each individual country avoids the necessity of finding its own solutions to problems that have already been disposed of by the corresponding authorities overseas. In other words, the work associated with the war production effort of each country makes its contribution not only within the country concerned, but contributes to a more effective war effort on the part of all. the nations involved. This result is achieved because each national Standards organization is an integral part of a world-wide organization which has established the procedure and machinery necessary to afford such reciprocal advantage and assistance. The unstinted co-operation and assistance which have at all times been received from overseas organizations and institutions, together with valuable information obtained from their various publications and documents, merit the fullest appreciation.

Specifications received from other Countries

Other publications received during the year, including reports and data relating to standardization, number 405, which, together with 1,045 Standard Specifications, total 1,450 documents received. Circulation of Draft and Standard Specifications Draft and Standard Specifications received from other countries as shown on the above table have been circulated for comment as follows:—

Draft Standard Specifications

5

Standard Draft War Emergency ar ®™®;'g eno y Specifications. Specifications. Specifications. „ Ti ,. opeoincations. British Standards Institution . . .. 4-3 41 67 18 Standards Association of Australia .. 13 1 44 Canadian Engineering Standards Associa- 25 .. 4 tion South African Standards Institution .. 2 American Standards Association .. 8 2 10 U.S. Treasury Department (Federal 708 Standards) U.S. Department of Commerce (National 12 • Bureau of Standards) National Electrical Manufacturers' Associ- 2 ation (U.S.A.) Society of Automotive Engineers (U.S.A.) 45 .. ... Totals .. .. .. 858 44 125 18 < y > Grand total .... 1,045

Great American Britain Australia. Standards Totals. Association. Draft Standards received .. .. .. 41 1 2 44 Draft Standards circulated for comment by aSected 16 1 1 18 interests Deferred pending receipt of final standard .. 9 .. .. 9 Still under consideration .. .. .. 32 1 2 35